—For subsection (3) of section 36 of the principal Act (local elections in England and Wales) there shall be substituted—

“(3)

Where the polls at—

(a)

the ordinary election of district councillors for any district ward or an election to fill a casual vacancy occurring in the office of such a councillor, and

(b)

the ordinary election of parish or community councillors for any parish or community or an election to fill a casual vacancy occurring in the office of such a councillor,

are to be taken on the same day and the elections are for related electoral areas, the polls at those elections shall be taken together.

(3A)

For the purposes of this section electoral areas are related if they are coterminous or if one is situated within the other.

(3B)

Where the polls at any elections are combined under this section the cost of taking the combined polls (excluding any cost solely attributable to one election) and any cost attributable to their combination shall be apportioned equally among the elections.

(3C)

The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as he thinks fit in connection with the combining of polls at any elections under this section including provision modifying the Representation of the People Acts in relation to such elections.”.